A Stratocaster version should be high on your list if you own multiple guitars. The Squier Affinity Stratocaster features a thin, lightweight poplar body with a very comfortable “C”-shaped maple neck for those with small hands or fingers.
I needed a Stratocaster because it is the only one with the Tremolo—and you never know when you’ll need that for a song. I lowered the action from the factory settings and replaced the strings with 8/38s. All my other guitars (except acoustic) are Les Paul or versions of the Les Paul design.
Features of the Squier Affinity Stratocaster HHS
One humbucking bridge pickup, two single-coil Strat pickups
“C”-shaped maple neck
HSS pickup configuration
Sealed die-cast tuning machines with split shafts
If Purchased New, it includes a free 3-month subscription to Fender Play (which offers online guitar lessons and other goodies), a padded gig bag, Frontman™ 15G guitar amplifier, an instrument cable, an instrument strap, and picks.
Specifications
Body material: Poplar
Body shape: Stratocaster®
Body finish: Gloss Polyurethane
Neck material: Maple
Neck finish: Satin Urethane with Gloss Urethane Headstock Face
Neck shape: C” Shape
Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
Fingerboard material: Laurel
Fingerboard radius: 9.5″ (241 mm)
Number of frets: 21
Fret size: Medium Jumbo
Nut material: Synthetic Bone
Nut width: 1.650″ (42 mm)
Position Inlays: Black Dot
Truss rod: Head Adjust
Bridge pickup: Ceramic Humbucker
Middle Pickup: Ceramic Single-Coil
Neck pickup: Ceramic Single-Coil
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Configuration: HSS
Bridge: 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles
Hardware finish: Chrome
Tuning machines: Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts
Pickguard: 3-Ply Black
Control knobs: Black Plastic
Factory Installed Strings: Nickel Plated Steel (.009-.042 Gauges)
Case/gig bag: Padded Gig Bag (If you’re playing gigs, opt for a hardshell Stratocaster case – purchased separately)
Weight: My Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster HHS weighs a mere 7.2 lbs.
Some Parting Thoughts on the Squier Stratocaster
This is not the easiest guitar to play, especially for those with smaller hands or fingers. The scale length of 25.5″ is the longest of all my guitars, and I can feel the stretch every time I play it. The fret size of Medium Jumbo is another clue that it takes larger hands or fingers to be genuinely comfortable playing this instrument. Fender markets this for the beginner – fine if you’re an adult, but probably not a first choice for younger children.
I’ll add a video later to demonstrate the guitar by a person with smaller hands.